Latest news with #LeviAshcroft
The Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Australian
AFL: Levi Ashcroft quickly learning lessons in first season
Levi Ashcroft's AFL education has included a non-negotiable 'team-first' mantra he must maintain to keep his spot in Brisbane's star-studded team. Previously an elite player at junior and schoolboy levels, Ashcroft, 18, has been on a steep learning curve in his first year of AFL football. 'There are a lot of bigger bodies than what I'd been playing against, playing against 18-year-olds and people at school, so it's definitely bigger bodies and stronger players in this league,' said Ashcroft, who has played in all of the Lions' 13 matches this season. 'The ball definitely moves a lot quicker than what I was used to, but I've found my feet and confident with where it's at now.' The fifth pick in last year's AFL draft has also been happy to shelve any thoughts of individual glory and instead properly buy into the Lions' team ethic under coach Chris Fagan. Levi Ashcroft has made a good start to his AFL career. Picture:'Give yourself to the team is a big thing for 'Fages' and the coaching staff,' Ashcroft said. 'It's just doing everything you possibly can for your mates and for this club. He (Fagan) has been stern on that all year round, and I definitely resonate with that. 'I feel like to stay in this team, you've got to do all that stuff. 'It's not just about your individual performance. That comes as well, but to be doing the team things first, that's the most important thing, and then individually, you can hopefully thrive off that.' Playing alongside his older brother Will at AFL level has also been a 'dream' for Ashcroft. 'We love coming into work every day. It's a dream being able to play football as your job, and do it with him is even more special,' he said. 'It just feels like we're growing up and getting older and enjoying our life as footballers.' Levi Ashcroft (left) says it's a 'dream' playing in the AFL alongside his brother Will. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images The Lions will aim to bounce back from last Friday's five-point away loss to the Adelaide Crows when they host the GWS Giants at the Gabba on Saturday. Brisbane wasted a host of opportunities in the final quarter against Crows, but Ashcroft was confident the Lions would correct that problem this weekend. 'We just need to finish off our work with inside 50s … we're trying to kick more goals from better inside 50 (opportunities),' Ashcroft. 'I feel like some of the time we go inside 50, it's a little bit lower percentage, so we're just trying to get better shots as a team.' Ruckman Oscar McInerney, defender Brandon Starcevich and forward Sam Day all trained on Thursday in their bid to prove they were fit enough to return to action on Saturday after respective back, concussion and hamstring problems. Marco Monteverde Sports reporter Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world. @marcothejourno Marco Monteverde
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Levi Ashcroft quickly learning lessons in first season of AFL
Levi Ashcroft's AFL education has included a non-negotiable 'team-first' mantra he must maintain to keep his spot in Brisbane's star-studded team. Previously an elite player at junior and schoolboy levels, Ashcroft, 18, has been on a steep learning curve in his first year of AFL football. 'There are a lot of bigger bodies than what I'd been playing against, playing against 18-year-olds and people at school, so it's definitely bigger bodies and stronger players in this league,' said Ashcroft, who has played in all of the Lions' 13 matches this season. 'The ball definitely moves a lot quicker than what I was used to, but I've found my feet and confident with where it's at now.' The fifth pick in last year's AFL draft has also been happy to shelve any thoughts of individual glory and instead properly buy into the Lions' team ethic under coach Chris Fagan. 'Give yourself to the team is a big thing for 'Fages' and the coaching staff,' Ashcroft said. 'It's just doing everything you possibly can for your mates and for this club. He (Fagan) has been stern on that all year round, and I definitely resonate with that. 'I feel like to stay in this team, you've got to do all that stuff. 'It's not just about your individual performance. That comes as well, but to be doing the team things first, that's the most important thing, and then individually, you can hopefully thrive off that.' Playing alongside his older brother Will at AFL level has also been a 'dream' for Ashcroft. 'We love coming into work every day. It's a dream being able to play football as your job, and do it with him is even more special,' he said. 'It just feels like we're growing up and getting older and enjoying our life as footballers.' The Lions will aim to bounce back from last Friday's five-point away loss to the Adelaide Crows when they host the GWS Giants at the Gabba on Saturday. Brisbane wasted a host of opportunities in the final quarter against Crows, but Ashcroft was confident the Lions would correct that problem this weekend. 'We just need to finish off our work with inside 50s … we're trying to kick more goals from better inside 50 (opportunities),' Ashcroft. 'I feel like some of the time we go inside 50, it's a little bit lower percentage, so we're just trying to get better shots as a team.'
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lions say 'no malice' in Starcevich concussion incident
Brandon Starcevich's concussion will heighten debate around AFL players pushing opponents into marking contests, with the Brisbane premiership defender to miss their season opener. Starcevich had to be helped from the field on Thursday night after his collision in the second term of the three-point loss to Adelaide at Brighton Homes Arena. Given the league's concussion protocols and the Lions hosting Geelong next Thursday night in the opening game of the season, there is no way Starcevich will be ready. The Lions were dealt a big injury blow as Jordan Dawson spearheaded the Crows to — AFL (@AFL) February 27, 2025 Lions' assistant coach Stuart Dew defended Adelaide forward Dan Curtin, who pushed Starcevich into the marking contest. It comes a few days after West Coast player Reuben Ginbey similarly pushed Richmond's No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor. The collision that followed left Lalor with a broken jaw and concussion, but there was no AFL match review action taken against Ginbey. "It was an unfortunate incident - he obviously got pushed into contact - not much you can do about it," Dew said of Starcevich's injury. "I'm sure it will be looked at... I don't think there's any malice in it, they are just trying to contest the ball. "Sometimes players are going to get it wrong." Starcevich was the only casualty in an entertaining pre-season clash. Brisbane led for most of the game, only to blow a 22-point lead midway through the final term and succumb 14.13 (97) to 13.16 (94). Adelaide kicked the last four goals of the game and then Lions' duo Jaspa Fletcher and Cam Rayner missed gettable set shots in the last few minutes. The two teams would have gained what they wanted out of the match, with Brisbane key forward Eric Hipwood returning from injury and kicking two goals. Can't wait to see what Levi Ashcroft does on the big stage 💪#AFLLionsCrows — AFL (@AFL) February 27, 2025 Levi Ashcroft, the younger brother of Norm Smith Medallist Will, firmed for a round-one debut with his game, which featured a goal in the final term. The Crows badly need a strong start and the win caps their encouraging pre-season. All Adelaide's key newcomers had solid hitouts - former GWS pair James Peatley and Isaac Cumming, new vice-captain and ex-Melbourne player Alex Neal-Bullen, and No.4 draft pick Sid Draper. Coming on in the second half, Draper was prominent through the midfield and he also looks ready for a round-one AFL debut.
